Mark Wahlberg: Celebrities should not talk about politics

Mark Wahlberg has said celebrities should keep their political opinions to themselves, saying they live in a “bubble” and have no real understanding of the issues faced by others.

Unlike the majority of Hollywood, the Ted actor kept quiet about his political leanings over the tempestuous election period. When asked why he did not get involved or actively endorse anyone throughout the 18-month campaign, Wahlberg said he didn't feel in a position to do so because of his own privilege.

“A lot of celebrities, did, do and shouldn’t give their political opinions,” he told Task and Purpose magazine, which is aimed at US veterans.

“You know, it just goes to show that people aren’t listening to that anyway. They might buy your CD or watch your movie but you don’t put food on their table. You don’t pay their bills. A lot of Hollywood is living in a bubble. They’re pretty out of touch with the common person, the everyday guy out there providing for their family.”
The majority of high-profile people lending their voice to the presidential election supported Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Aside from a few particularly vocal Donald Trump supporters, including the actors Jon Voight and Scott Baio, any famous people who did support Mr Trump kept it on the downlow.

Wahlberg argued he is more aware of the issues facing Americans because he “exists in the real world”.

“Me, I’m very aware of the real world. I come from the real world and I exist in the real world. And although I can navigate Hollywood and I love the business and the opportunities it’s afforded me, I also understand what it’s like not to have all that,” he said.

Yet after giving his thoughts on why celebrities should not get involved in politics he then addressed Mr Trump’s previous comments pledging to ban Muslims from the US.
Discussing his new film Patriots Day, which follows the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings committed by the Tsarnaev brothers, Wahlberg called the premise of barring an entire religion “completely absurd and unacceptable”.

“I have a lot of Muslim friends who are really amazing people,” he said. “So anything like that is just completely absurd and unacceptable to me. I’m a devout Catholic. I have a lot of Jewish friends. I’ve got a lot of friends from all over the world. And I think a lot of people have been mistreated for a long time and we need to fix that.

“There’s a big difference between a Muslim and a terrorist. Big, big difference.”

Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Were ‘Fighting’ Before His Hospitalization

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian were struggling to keep up even before his November 21 hospitalization for extreme exhaustion. In the aftermath of the October 3 Paris robbery, during which Kardashian, 36, was tied up and held at gunpoint while thieves stole $10 million in jewelry, “it’s just been hell for them,” an inside source says.

While the reality star struggled to feel safe again, West, 39, returned to his 63-date Saint Pablo tour. But Kardashian, normally a backstage fixture, was too anxious to tag along. “The trauma of the incident made her more hesitant to do things,” explains the source. “Of course it strained their relationship, because she hadn’t seen him.”

When he was home at their 11,000-square-foot Bel Air spread with kids North, 3, and Saint, 12 months, West’s workaholic tendencies got the best of him. “He would be up all night ranting about things,” says a source close to the 21-time Grammy winner. “They were fighting because he was impossible to live with.”

Kardashian’s Paris ordeal left West paranoid and “completely freaked out,” says an insider. The fact that it happened near the nine-year anniversary of the loss of his mother, Donda, only deepened his distress. “The mere thought of his wife being taken from him was too much — it was like his mother’s death,” says a source close to West. “Seeing Kim close to death did a major number on him. It sent him into a tailspin.”  

Kardashian, meanwhile, was enduring her own nightmares and flashbacks, say sources. But when she tried to lean on her husband of two years, she was disappointed. “She felt like now she needed him to be stable and her rock instead of the other way around,” explains the Kim confidant. “Kanye’s so used to getting Kim’s constant support and coding, but it’s always about Kanye.”

But then — as she was preparing to attend the November 21 Angel Ball in New York — she got that fateful call. West, who hadn’t slept “in about a week,” according to a source — was at the L.A.-area home of his trainer Harley Pasternak acting paranoid and psychotic. “He was having difficulty identifying what was real,” explains the source.

Despite the recent rocky patch, Kim sprang into action, setting up camp in West’s private hospital room at UCLA Medical Center. And though the incident was scary for the reality star, a source close to the couple says she thinks it will heal their relationship. “Kanye’s behavior took a huge toll on their marriage,” says the source. “But Kim feels relieved he is getting the help he needs. She thinks this is what it will take to save him — and help their marriage.”

Brad Pitt 'Sad and Frustrated' He Didn't See His Kids on Thanksgiving

The most wonderful time of the year? Not for Brad Pitt.A Pitt friend says the "sad and frustrated" Allied star, 52, spent Thanksgiving with a pal — not the six children he shares with estranged wife Angelina Jolie.

While Pitt had a Friendsgiving in Turks and Caicos, Maddox, 15, Pax, 13, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and 8-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne spent November 24 at their mom's’ place in L.A. "They had a nice family dinner,” says a Jolie source. “It was quiet.”

The guest list was kid-approved too. Continues the source, “The children did not request to be with Brad on Thanksgiving.” The Pitt friend counters that the decision is Jolie’s alone: “Angie could have had him there if she wanted.”

Both the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and the FBI have closed their inquiries into a September incident in which Pitt allegedly got physical with one of his kids aboard a private plane. But despit­e the exoneration, Jolie, 41, continues to keep her ex at arm’s length from the children, who reside with the Maleficent star. “Everything is on her terms,” claims a Pitt insider. “It has been a difficult time for Brad.” 

His days may only get harder. The Jolie source ­says the children, who are in therapy as per DCFS recommendations, have yet to decide where to spend Christmas. Says the Jolie source, “That will be discussed with the therapist as the holiday gets closer.”

Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt, Knox Leon Jolie-Pitt, Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt and Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt 

  In the 10 weeks since the split, Pitt has had just a handful of awkward, supervised visits. (Sources disagree on whether there have been more than three.) Pitt, who has joint legal custody and has filed for joint physical custody, is hoping for more face time. “He loves his kids,” the Pitt friend says. “It’s very hard to not be with them.”

2016 American Music Awards - The Winners List

Selena Gomez

Justin Bieber

Rihanna

Selena Gomez stole the show at the American Music Awards on Sunday night (November 20) by delivering a passionate speech to her fans as she accepted the Female Pop/Rock Artist trophy.

The pop star was not expected to attend the ceremony in Los Angeles and so her arrival on the red carpet was a shock to many, marking her first public appearance since she abandoned her world tour this summer and reportedly checked into rehab to focus on her struggle with autoimmune disorder lupus.

Wearing a stunning red gown and looking tanned, happy and healthy, the Come & Get It singer hit the stage during the prize-giving to collect the award and held back tears as she addressed her fans.

As the Microsoft Theater audience fell silent, Selena said, "In 2014 this stage was actually the first time that I was authentically, 100 per cent honest with all of you. I think it's safe to say that most of you know a lot of my life, whether I like it or not."

Gomez cut short a 2014 tour of Australia and checked in to the Dawn at The Meadows facility in Arizona to receive professional care and undergo chemotherapy. In August 2016, she announced she was taking an indefinite break from her world tour in order to focus on getting well again.

"I had to stop because I had everything and I was absolutely broken inside," she added during her speech. "I kept it all together enough to where I'd never let you (fans) down, but I kept it too much together, to where I let myself down.

"All I can say from the bottom of my heart is I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to be able to share what I love every single day with people that I love... If you are broken, you do not have to stay broken."

Meanwhile, Selena's ex Justin Bieber, fellow Canadian Drake, Rihanna, and Ariana Grande were among the biggest winners of the night.

The rapper, who came into the 2016 AMAs with a record-breaking 13 nominations, picked up three honours and shared a fourth with rumoured ex-girlfriend Rihanna, who also claimed a triple win, including an unexpected Soul/R&B Album of Year trophy for Anti, beating out Beyonce's Lemonade.

Meanwhile, Bieber picked up the most awards of the night landing four of his five nominations, and Grande was crowned Artist of the Year.

She and Bieber were also among the night's performance highlights alongside sets from Merit Award recipient Sting, Green Day, double winners Twenty One Pilots, The Weeknd, Fifth Harmony, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Niall Horan, and Maroon 5 and Kendrick Lamar, who closed the show with Don't Wanna Know.

The full list of winners is:

Artist of the Year: Ariana Grande
New Artist of the Year: Zayn Malik
Collaboration of the Year: Work From Home - Fifth Harmony featuring Ty Dolla $ign
Pop/Rock Male Artist: Justin Bieber
Pop/Rock Female Artist: Selena Gomez
Duo or Group - Pop/Rock: Twenty One Pilots
Pop/Rock Album: Purpose - Justin Bieber
Pop/Rock Song: Love Yourself - Justin Bieber
Soul/R&B Male Artist: Chris Brown
Soul/R&B Female Artist: Rihanna
Soul/R&B Song: Work - Rihanna and Drake
Soul/R&B Album: Anti - Rihanna
Rap/Hip-Hop Artist: Drake
Rap/Hip-Hop Song: Hotline Bling - Drake
Rap/Hip-Hop Album: Views - Drake
Electronic Dance Music Artist: The Chainsmokers
Alternative Rock Artist: Twenty One Pilots
Country Male Artist: Blake Shelton
Country Female Artist: Carrie Underwood
Country Duo or Group: Florida Georgia Line
Country Album: Storyteller - Carrie Underwood
Country Song: Humble & Kind - Tim McGraw
Adult Contemporary Artist: Adele
Latin Artist: Enrique Iglesias
Contemporary Inspirational Artist: Hillsong UNITED
Top Soundtrack: Purple Rain
Video of the Year: Sorry - Justin Bieber
Tour of the Year: Beyonce
American Music Award of Merit: Sting